This New Year Resolve to Seek Revelation

For several years now the two of us have practiced a spiritual discipline inspired by My One Word, a book by Mike Ashcroft and Rachel Olsen. (Click on the title of the book to learn more or get your own copy.)

Each year we find ourselves asking, “God, do you have a word for me this year?” Seeking a word for the year to focus our spiritual growth and journey around has proven to be a wonderful way to approach a new year.

Stacy says:

The text came to me this morning. A sister shared how excited she was about what God was doing in her life and expressed her joy in His leading her to a word for 2018. I was thrilled to share in her joy. Because God had already gently whispered the word He has for me too.

A word which sort of floated to the surface like an air bubble from somewhere deep in my soul.

Unfold…

Oh, the potential of a word. I looked it up in the dictionary and considered the defining of a year… expand, unwrap, reveal… blossom, develop… to open gradually. I smiled at the beauty of such promise.

Once I found the definition I prayed, “What Scripture in your Word brings life to unfold?” I waited, but not long, because as I shared my word she says, “There’s a Scripture about unfolding, I think it’s Pslam 119.” (Yes, I’m still amazed when she does that!)

The unfolding of your word gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

Psalm 119:130

Am I excited? Yes. Am I concerned? A bit. Because to open gradually means there will be some waiting, and unwrapping might just mean tearing through the outside layer. But along with the waiting and unwrapping come expansion, development, and revelation. Oh what a year it will be!

Carol says:

After the sister shared the story of her word for 2018, I said, “I don’t know if I’ll have one. I seem to have dropped the one from this year somewhere along the way.”

But I do remember my word: Light.

It’s still written on the whiteboard in my laundry room amidst Scripture and quotes.

Since being reminded of my word for 2017, I contemplated the past year and how He’s used this word in me.

In some ways, it’s been a hard year. Hard which revealed dark things in me. Things by His grace He’s dealt with (or is still dealing with). It’s been a year of revelation and lightening of me.

Then it hits me… I feel light… lighter than I’ve felt in a very long time. Maybe ever.

I’m not talking illumination, even though the illuminating of my soul brought about the lightness. I’m talking less heavy, less burdened. I feel less of me and more of Him.

Freer. The Light in me has made me spiritually lighter to just be.

Hmmm… in the writing here, I wonder if I just uncovered my word for 2018.

Could it be? Free?

We share our stories to encourage you to try out the One Word spiritual discipline for yourself in 2018. You don’t have to wait for January 1, begin today asking Him: Do You have a word for me? Then wait… listen… and be prepared to receive.

Resolve to begin the new year seeking revelation instead of working on a resolution. It’s sure to lead to greater benefits than anything you could come up with on your own.

The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.